1. A hubby come home! He was traveling for an entire week, and boy, did I miss him. There were a few nice things about his trip, though – nightly phone calls were fun, and he left me a few fun messages on my phone at school in the middle of the day. And he brought me home a new t-shirt! It’s just nice to be together again.

2. An evening with friends. Since my hubby was gone, I went to a party with a friend from work. She and I had so much fun – talked all the way there and back. I’m so thankful for heart friends like her.

3. Progress on papers. If you’re a regular follower, you’re probably thinking, “Is she still talking about those papers?” My students do a major research paper that is a six-week long process. I grade each step, so yes, I’m still talking about those papers! Last time, I was happy to be done with the rough drafts…now I’m grading the final papers. I have made progress, but there are more to grade…

4. The ages and stages of life. When my boys were very little, I often appreciated their stages only as they left a wearisome one. Once I had four of them, spread across nine years, I began to see the wonder of all those stages. (When I had a half second to think, that is…) It’s so great to be able to watch them now as they enter new stages – first jobs, graduations, ultrasounds. So much to rejoice over!

5. Wise words. Once again, a G.K. Chesterton quote spoke to me this week.“How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it.”

When we look up and look around, our selves diminish and life becomes so much greater, larger, and more wonderful. I’ve found that when I focus on the One who loves me more than any other, my perspective shifts. Happiness and contentment become the order of the day.

Glad your hubby is home. Mine is about to leave and I’m so sad. But it’s good you got to spend time with friends while he was gone. All I want to do while my husband is gone is stay at home! Ha. But I can't hibernate.

I love the Chesterton quote. One day I want to be brave enough to read one of his books. Yes, always better when we focus Up instead of in.

Oh as a teacher, I know the TIME it takes to grade those paper, especially if you are grading each step of it!! Stages of life, it is a blessing for a mom to watch her kids go through the stages of life isn't it! :)

Your numbers 1 and 4 are both very dear to me as well. They're very much what my life revolves around, and I try to treasure both. Both the time with hubby and the phases my daughter grows through are so fleeting, and it's hard to avoid clinging too much.I hope you have a beautiful weekend. Good luck with those papers!

& one of my faves is that YOU have 4 boys & I only 2 :) Just kidding! I do love my boys too :)

Yeah! your hubby is home! I do hate when Kelly leaves me & it is always good to have him return so I am with you on that! I am glad you got to go out with your friends too! I am in need of a night with girlfriends too!

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ARE YOU OUTNUMBERED?

Overwhelmed? Surrounded?

I’ve spent most of my “mom life” outnumbered … by four sons!

It’s easy for a mom to feel outnumbered today, to feel isolated and alone. But we really can’t do it all alone.

Moms need each other, not to mention a touch of something greater than us.

Along the way I’ve stumbled on a few ways to cope with this “mom life.” I’m here to share and to learn from you, too.

Whether you mother an infant, a toddler or a teen, an empty nest or a full one, you're not alone.

No matter what kind of mom you are – no matter what’s outnumbering you today – there’s hope and help.

Hang on, Mom!

LAURA LEE GROVES

The mother of four boys, a writer, and a teacher, my heart is for moms. Ours is the noblest profession, and we can't do it all alone. Read on to help yourself, your family, your spirit, and to find ways to reach out to other moms.

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